Life's what happens between the highlights
Today, I want to share something personal that has changed how I see life and business. As I turn 50, I've been thinking about the most important lesson I've learned - and it's probably not what you'd expect.
The Simple Truth That Changed Everything
We all know life is short. That's nothing new.
But the real lesson - one my mother taught me years ago - is simple yet powerful:
"Life is what happens in between the highlights."
This really hit home during my battle with cancer in 2020. When I faced the possibility that my time might be limited, I didn't think about:
- Big events like weddings or graduations
- My career achievements or promotions
- Material things like cars or fancy vacations
Instead, I found myself remembering the quiet, ordinary moments:
- Sitting on my grandfather's knee as a child
- Playing with dominoes on the floor with my son
- Having a quiet pint with an old friend
- Watching a sunrise with my dad from a mountaintop
- Random but meaningful talks with random people
What This Means for Your Business
You might wonder what this has to do with your business. Actually, quite a lot.
When I built and sold my businesses, I learned that the same idea applies.
The real value wasn't in the sale price (although that was great too!) - it was in the daily journey of building something that mattered.
Many business owners I work with focus so much on their big goals - growing bigger, making more money, or preparing to sell - that they miss the meaningful moments happening every day. They're living for some future highlight instead of finding joy in the daily work.
Why Life Seems to Speed Up As We Age
Life often feels shorter as we get older because we:
1. Focus mainly on the big, Instagram-worthy moments
2. Compress our memories into a short highlight reel
3. Pack our schedules until everything blurs together
4. Rarely take time to reflect on our experiences
5. Worry we're not doing enough with our lives
Time does appear to tick faster as we age - like a countdown timer in an action movie.
But no superhero is coming to stop the clock for us.
It's up to us to make the most of the time we have.
Finding Joy in the Daily Journey
During my 20 years of owning businesses, I've met many entrepreneurs who reached their money goals but still felt empty. Almost always, it's because they sacrificed the journey for the destination.
The happiest business owners I know find meaning in:
- Small wins along the way
- Relationships with team members and customers
- Problems solved and lessons learned
- Growing as a person while growing their business
This isn't just feel-good advice - it's practical wisdom.
When you appreciate the daily journey, you make better decisions. You build stronger relationships. You create a business with depth rather than just chasing quick wins.
How to Apply This to Your Business
How can this change how you run your business?
- Celebrate small wins: Don't wait for big milestones to feel successful. Enjoy the small steps forward.
- Build real connections: Spend time on relationships that make your business journey worthwhile - with customers, team members, and other business owners.
- Keep track of your progress: Take time to look back at how far you've come, not just how far you still need to go.
- Make your work enjoyable: Set up your business to create more meaningful everyday moments, not just to maximize profit.
Making Your Time Count
As I hit 50, I notice time moving faster. But instead of making me anxious, this brings clarity. It reminds me to focus on what truly matters - in life and in business.
This doesn't mean giving up on your dreams. In fact:
✅ If a dream is worth chasing, start today.
✅ Take one step, then another - small steps add up over time.
✅ Remember that excuses waste precious time.
✅ Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
✅ Take time to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.
The funny thing is, when we focus on enjoying the daily work rather than just racing toward goals, we often get better results anyway. A business built with care day by day tends to become more valuable in the long run.
This Week's Challenge
Take some time this week to think about your business journey - not just where you're heading, but where you are right now.
What everyday moments from your business would you remember fondly if faced with a serious illness?
What parts of your daily work bring you real satisfaction?
How could you change your days to include more of these meaningful moments?
Remember, when you look back on your business years from now, you won't just remember the sale price or profit margins - remember the people, the challenges you overcame, and how you grew along the way.
Life may be short, but it's also incredibly rich when we learn to appreciate all of it - not just the highlights.